Geoff Small (NZ) and Janina Kuzma (Australia) won the second Marmot Extreme Skiing and Snowboarding Competition at Mt Ruapehu at the weekend, adding yet another top-of-the-podium showing to their already impressive resumes. Robbie Walsh (USA) and Maria Kuzma (Australia) were the winners in the snowboard category.
‘The Comp’, in it’s second year, kicked off on Saturday in the ‘Pinnacles’ at Whakapapa on Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand. The competition finished with 37 of the best freeriders from around the world in both ski and snowboard disciplines.
Day One action took place on ‘Policeman’s’ in front of a large crowd of spectators. Conditions on the venue were very firm in the morning due to some rain the day before and a subsequent freeze overnight. Fortunately the sunshine was out all day and conditions on the course and all over the mountain softened into some excellent spring corn.
The day’s highlights included World Freeski Tour fufth ranked Hamish Acland’s fast smooth triple-drop-straightline through a large choke in the middle of the course. Geoff Small and Janina Kuzma also stepped up with impressive lines through the same area but it was Acland who ended up in first place by a very slim margin. The event’s jam format let competitors compete side by side with skiers and riders, taking two runs each at they’re own pace.
Sunday’s venue was moved up to the ‘Door’, a steep line with lots of features for competitors to work. With tight races in all the categories it was anyone’s Comp to win. Turoa Doctor and ex Scottish World Cup racer Tess Pirie laid down a very impressive run on day two but it wasn’t quite enough to catch Janina Kuzma, who’s difficult line choices paid off, winning her the women’s ski title.
Robbie Walsh stepped up in the snowboard competition coming out the clear winner of the day with his smooth line. Maria Kuzma followed her twin sisters’ lead and rode a solid and difficult line to come out almost 10 points ahead on the women’s snowboard side.
On the men’s skiers side it was a battle for first between Kiwi superstars Geoff Small and Hamish Acland both of whom have won many North American freeskiing titles and world tour rankings. Small found his way into an exposed section of the course that no one thought possible, stomping at least three big airs and making it look easy. Acland linked together four huge airs but took an awkward tumble before taking another huge air with an injured arm.
Event organiser and Mt Ruapehu Marketing Coordinator Tim Wilkinson said “This year’s Comp exceeded expectations. Not only did the prizepool increase, but so did the number and quality of athletes which is the most important thing. We had local and international film crews here to capture the action which will further increase the popularity and notoriety of the Marmot Extreme Comp. The Team here at Mt Ruapehu are already looking forward to next year’s Comp as many competitors have pledge they’ll be returning, in addition to many pro-skiers and top ranked World Tour athletes already indicating their interest in next year’s event!”
